It’s a good thing PERA’s making money: retired state worker Dan Hopkins needs his pension to buy for one more grandchild.

Hopkins proudly reported that Charles Dan Gonzalez was born about 3 a.m. Monday, weighing in at 7.8 pounds. Charles’ cousins, Allison and Liam, have already met the little guy.

“I’ve decided that with a birthday like 7-11-11, he has a great business career ahead of him, first as a spokeskid for 7-11 (free Slurpees for life) and later on for the gaming industry,” Hopkins said.

It’s definitely in the blood. Hopkins served as former Gov. Bill Owens’ spokesman before retiring. Before that, for years he was the mouthpiece of the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.